St. Patrick’s Day kicks off a worldwide celebration also known as the Feast of St. Patrick.

On March 17th, many will wear green in honor of the Irish and decorate with shamrocks. According to lore, the wearing of the green tradition dates back to a story written about St. Patrick in 1726.

St. Patrick (c. AD 385–461) used the shamrock to illustrate the Holy Trinity and worn green clothing. And while the story is unlikely to be true, many will revel in the Irish heritage and eat traditional Irish fare, too.

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In the United States, St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated since before the country was formed.

At times, the holiday has been a bit more of a rowdy one, with green beer, parades, and talk of leprechauns.

However, in Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day takes on a more solemn mood. It wasn’t until events in the United States broadcast in Ireland that some of the Yankee ways spread across the pond. One Irish-American tradition not common to Ireland is corned beef and cabbage.